Planning an Indonesia itinerary is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. With over 17,000 islands, active volcanoes, ancient temples, some of the world’s best diving, and jungles full of wildlife, the hardest part isn’t finding what to do: it’s deciding where to even begin.
Whether you have one week or two months, this guide will help you make sense of it all. I’ve put together itinerary ideas for every trip length, each focused on a different type of experience, so you can find the route that actually matches what you’re looking for instead of just following the standard Bali tourist trail.
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Table of Contents - Indonesia itinerary ideas from 1 week to 2 months
Which Indonesian Island is best for what
Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, so narrowing down where to go can feel overwhelming. The islands in the table below are the ones I’ve personally visited and can recommend for each of the mentioned highlights. They’re all relatively easy to get to and get around, making them suitable for most travelers.
That said, there are plenty of other incredible options. Borneo is amazing for wildlife spotting, Sulawesi is a favourite with divers, and West Papua is home to Raja Ampat, widely considered one of the best diving spots in the world. The reason I skipped these is mostly practical: getting around Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo) and West Papua typically requires internal flights that are expensive and unreliable. If you have the budget and flexibility, they’re absolutely worth exploring, but for most people planning a first or second trip to Indonesia, the islands below are the sweet spot between accessibility and incredible experiences.
| Island | Best For | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Sumatra | Wildlife & adventure | Orangutan jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang, the world's largest crater lake at Lake Toba, volcano hike up Mount Sibayak |
| Java | Culture, volcanoes & history | The ancient archaeological sites of Borobudur and Prambanan, Mount Bromo and Ijen volcanoes, Tumpak Sewu waterfall |
| Bali | Socialising, surfing & temples | Iconic rice terraces, Hindu temples, surfing in the south, day trip to Nusa Penida island |
| Gili Islands | Beach & snorkelling | Three tiny car-free islands with crystal clear water, snorkelling with sea turtles, and excellent diving |
| Lombok | Hiking, surfing & beaches | Hiking the active volcano Mount Rinjani, the stunning Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls, surfing at Kuta beaches |
| Flores | Road trips, diving & Komodo | Visiting Komodo National Park and its famous dragons, the multicoloured crater lakes of Kelimutu, scenic island road trip |
Itinerary ideas
Below you’ll find Indonesia itinerary ideas for every trip length, from one week to two months. These are just starting points as there are endless ways to explore this country. So feel free to mix, match, and make it your own. The itineraries are fairly packed, so if you prefer a slower pace just drop one of the stops or use an itinerary designed for fewer days than you actually have. Most routes also work just as well in reverse, though occasionally that means adding an extra flight or travel day.
1 week Indonesia itinerary ideas
One week in Indonesia flies by, so it’s best to focus on only one island. You’ll actually get to enjoy it that way, rather than spending half your trip on ferries and buses trying to get somewhere else!
1. The classic: Bali
If you only have one week in Indonesia, you can always go for the classic and spend it on Bali. One week is enough to spend some time at the beach in the south, explore some of the temples and rice fields Bali is so famous for and head to Amed in the north for some snorkeling and diving. If surfing is not your thing, or you don’t want to travel all the way to Amed in the north, you can also spend one day in Nusa Penida instead.
2. Beach holiday at the Gili Islands
Few places are more perfect for a beach holiday than the Gili Islands. This island group sits just off the coast of Lombok and is the one exception to the 1-island rule: since the three islands are so close to each other, you can easily hop between all of them in a week. Think lazy days on the beach, snorkelling with turtles amongst coral reefs, and watching incredible sunsets with a cold beer in hand or dancing the night away if that’s more your style.
The Gili Islands don’t have an airport, but they’re conveniently located between Bali and Lombok, so you can fly into either and hop on a speedboat. Lombok is the closest, but Bali receives far more international flights.
Check out this detailed itinerary for 1 week in the Gili Islands to start planning.
3. Beaches and hiking at Lombok
If you’re looking for a more active holiday than just lazing on the beach, check out Lombok. There are many things to do in Lombok, and since the island is not so big, it’s easy to get around by scooter. Lombok has an airport, which is not so far from Kuta, the main tourist hub, making this a great place to start your trip.
Spend a couple of days enjoying some of Lombok’s best beaches or go surfing. Then make your way up north via Sengigi and spend a night or two at Senaru to visit the Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls. If you’re up for a challenge, you can do a 2-day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. Tip: When booking the tour, negotiate that they bring you back to Kuta, so you’re back here for your last day(s).
4. Hike volcanoes and visit archaeological sites at Java
If the beach is not your thing, and you’re looking to explore as much as possible, Java might be more suitable for you. Even if you have one week in Java, that is still enough for the best things to do in East Java and Yogyakarta.
Here’s how to do it: Fly into Yogyakarta↗ and spend your arrival day wandering around the city. On your second day, you can either rent a scooter or join a tour to visit the archaeological sites of Borobudur and Prambanan. Make your way to Pronojiwo on day 3 and explore Tumpak Sewu and Kapas Biru on day 4. On day 5 travel to Cemoro Lawang to visit Mount Bromo for sunrise on day 6. On the same day, you can take a tour that takes you from Cemoro Lawang to Banjuwangi, visiting Ijen for sunrise the next day (day 7). You’ll be back in Bajuwangi in time for breakfast and from here you can take a bus or train to Surabaya or Yogyakarta for your flight out.
5. Go hiking in the jungle and explore the world's biggest crater lake in Sumatra
Looking for something even more adventurous? Then North Sumatra is for you. The main gateway to North Sumatra is the capital of Medan. Don’t waste any time here though, and head straight to Bukit Lawang from the airport if you can. Bukit Lawang is the start off point for the jungle trekkings in the Gunung Leuser National Park and famous for the semi-wild orangutan population living close to town. Sightings here are very frequent!
If you only have 1 week, go for a 2-day jungle trekking (day 2 and 3). On day 4 travel to lake Toba and spend days 5-6 exploring the lake and the unique local culture. On day 7, travel back to Medan.
2 week Indonesia itinerary ideas
If you have 2 weeks in Indonesia, you can either take it slower and spend more time in each location or add another island to your itinerary. There are plenty of options for a two week Indonesia itinerary.
1. Enjoy the beach at Bali or Lombok & Gili
If beach time is your priority, simply combine the one-week Bali or Lombok itinerary above with the one-week Gili Islands itinerary for two weeks of pure island bliss.
2. Explore volcanoes and waterfalls in Java and Lombok
If it’s mainly nature and volcanic landscapes you’re interested in, combine East Java with the north of Lombok (Senaru and Mount Rinjani).
Fly to Surabaya↗, and take a train to Malang on day 1. The next day, make your way to Pronojiwo (day 2) and spend the next day visiting waterfalls (day 3). On day 4, travel to Cemoro Lawang and visit Bromo for sunrise on day 5. Spend an extra night here so you can explore the area without the tour crowds. Travel to Ijen in the afternoon of day 6. Hike Ijen and make your way to Lombok on day 7. Visit Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls on day 8 and hike Mount Rinjani on days 9 and 10.
This still gives you 3 days to spare, which you could spend on one of the Gili islands which are easy to get to from Lombok’s north. If you want to go surfing, head to Kuta Lombok instead as the water at the Gili’s is too calm for surfing. Not a beach person at all? Swap these last days on the beach for the temple complexes of Borobudur and Prambanan in Yogyakarta and start your itinerary here. Yogyakarta is a bit further from the rest of the route, so factor in extra travel time.
3. Explore volcanoes and wildlife at Sumatra and Java
If you’re more interested in nature and wildlife than beaches, opt for Sumatra and Java. Follow this 10-day itinerary for Sumatra and fly to Banyuwangi on day 10. On day 11 travel to Cemoro Lawang and hike mount Bromo for sunrise on day 12. In the afternoon, head back to Banyuwangi to visit Ijen for sunrise on day 13 (or join a tour from Cemoro Lawang) flying back on day 14.
You can play around with the last few days a little, depending on flight times. It might be more beneficial to spend a day less at Lake Toba for example. I would then spend the extra day in Cemoro Lawang. It’s a cute little town and best enjoyed when the tour groups have left. Also, a second night here means another chance for a nice sunrise.
Flight tip: If there are no suitable flights to Banyuwangi, you can also consider flying to Denpasar, Bali or Surabaya instead. Do note that Denpasar airport is located on the other side of the island, so you’ll need to arrange transport to the port for the ferry to Banyuwangi from here. From Surabaya it’s a little easier, there are trains and buses to Banyuwangi.
4. Explore volcanoes and wildlife at Java and Flores
Can’t get enough of volcanoes? Then change Sumatra for Flores.
Spend your initial 4 days at Java, arriving at Banyuwangi↗ (day 1). If flights here are very expensive/inconvenient, look at Surabaya or Denpasar instead. The next day, visit Mount Ijen for sunrise and travel to Cemoro Lawang (day 2). Visit the Bromo viewpoint for sunrise and after breakfast, make your way to Surabaya via Probolinggo (day 3). Fly to Labuan Bajo on day 4, and follow this 10-day road trip itinerary for Flores for days 4-13. Fly home on day 14.
5. Wildlife spotting in Sumatra, the Gili's and Komodo
Wildlife-lovers, this is your itinerary!
Start in Labuan Bajo, and do a day trip to Komodo National Park to see the dragons (day 2). I recommend looking into private tours, as our group tour wasn’t as focused on really observing the animals in their natural habitat as we would have liked. It was more about taking a picture with them. Komodo National Park is also great for diving, so plan a diving trip too (day 3).
On day 4, fly to Lombok (or Bali if that works out better) and travel to the Gili islands. Spend 2 days relaxing here, snorkeling with turtles (day 5 and 6).
On day 7, make your way to either Bali or Lombok, for a flight to Medan. On day 8 travel to Bukit Lawang, and do a jungle trekking of at least 2 days (days 9 and 10).
This leaves you with 3 days to spare, which you could spend at the Gili islands if you wanted more beach time. You could do a trip to Nusa Penida on the way to Bali, or add Mount Sibayak in Sumatra to your itinerary.
3 week Indonesia itinerary ideas
3 weeks is a good amount of time to see some more of Indonesia. It gives you enough time to explore a few different islands and allows for a more diverse itinerary visiting some of the best things Indonesia has to offer.
1. Enjoy the beach at Bali, the Gili's and Lombok
Just because 3 weeks allows for a more diverse itinerary, doesn’t mean you have to follow one. If you know what you want, and what you want is plenty of beach time, then you can travel from Bali to Lombok, via Nusa Penida and the Gili islands.
Simply add the 1-week itineraries from Bali, the Gili’s, and Lombok above and you’ll have the perfect 3-week (mostly) beach itinerary for Indonesia.
2. Explore volcanoes and waterfalls in Sumatra, Java and Lombok
If it’s three weeks of nature you want, head for Sumatra, East Java, and Lombok.
Start with the 10-day itinerary for North Sumatra and fly from Medan to Yogyakarta on day 10. On day 11, visit the archaeological sites of Borobudur and Prambanan. On day 12, make your way to Pronojiwo and spend day 13 exploring the waterfalls here.
Head to Cemoro Lawang on day 14, and spend day 15 and the morning of day 16 visiting Mount Bromo.
On day 16, take a tour to Banyuwangi, which includes a visit to Ijen on the morning of day 17, and head to Lombok in the afternoon (you’ll probably either have to fly or travel via Bali). Head straight for the town of Semaru and visit the Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls on day 18. On day 19 do a 2-day tour hiking Mount Rinjani and fly back home on day 21.
Tip: This is a pretty full on itinerary, so you might want to leave Mount Rinjani out (the toughest part of the itinerary) if you’re tired. You can chill on one of the Gili Islands instead. Want to drop a place, but not Rinjani? Skip Yogyakarta and fly from Medan to Surabaya or Malang instead.
3. A bit over everything: Bukit Lawang + East Java + Gili + Komodo
If you want to make your 3-week trip to Indonesia as diverse as possible, consider doing the highlights of North Sumatra, East Java, the Gili’s, and Flores. These places are quite spread, so it does mean taking a few more flights, just something to take into consideration.
Sumatra: Start in Medan, and do a jungle trekking on days 2 & 3, flying to Yogyakarta on day 4.
Java: On day 5, visit the archaeological sites of Borobudur and Prambanan. Make your way to Pronojiwo on day 6 and spend day 7 exploring the waterfalls here. On day 8, head to Cemoro Lawang, and spend day 9 and the morning of day 10 visiting Mount Bromo. On day 11, take a tour to Banyuwangi, visiting Ijen on the morning of day 12. After your tour, take a ferry to Bali and head to Sanur port.
Bali & the Gili Islands: Hop on a ferry to Nusa Penida. Spend day 13 here and head to the Gili islands on day 14. Spend today and day 15 on your favorite Gili Island.
Komodo: Book a 4-day Komodo tour finishing in Labuan Bajo for days 16-19. On your last day, just chill in Labuan Bajo, or do a day trip and fly back on day 21.
Komodo tour – Normally I would recommend doing the 4-day trip from Flores to Lombok instead of this way as the boats are a lot less crowded. It does mean you’d have to take another flight, from Banyuwangi or Surabaya to Labuan Bajo.
1 month Indonesia itinerary ideas
If you have one month in Indonesia, you’ll be able to see quite a lot. And your options are more or less to follow the traditional route or go for a more adventurous route and head a bit more off the beaten track.
1. The most popular route: Java to Lombok
Follow the 1-week itinerary for Java above ↑, but add an extra day in Cemoro Lawang, which makes it 8 days. On day 9 take a ferry to Bali and spend the rest of your second week here. Take a ferry to Nusa Penida the next day (Day 15) and spend day 16 here. On day 17, head to the Gili Islands and spend days 18-22 here. For your last week, follow the 1 week in Lombok itinerary from above ↑, but start in Senaru traveling down to Kuta.
2. Something different: Sumatra + Java + Flores
If you want to get a bit more off the beaten track instead, start your one month in Indonesia with 10 days in North Sumatra and fly from Medan to Yogyakarta on day 10. Follow the one-week itinerary for Java from above ↑, adding an extra day in Cemoro Lawang and Yogyakarta to make it a bit less full on. This will fill days 11-19. On day 20, fly to Labuan Bajo and follow this 10-day road trip itinerary for Flores.
2 month Indonesia itinerary
If you have 2 months in Indonesia, then that’s amazing! It’s enough to visit all the islands mentioned above. Do note that the visa on arrival you get for Indonesia is only for 30 days, so this itinerary includes a renewal of this 30-day visa.
1. From Sumatra to Flores
Flores: Start your 2-month adventure with this 10-day itinerary for Flores.
Lombok: Fly to Lombok on day 11 and spend 2 more days in Kuta, since you’re relatively close by now (days 12 & 13). This will use about 2 weeks of your visa on arrival meaning it is the perfect moment to extend your visa in Lombok on day 14. Spend the 5 days you’ll need to wait on your visa in Lombok’s north, visiting Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile waterfalls and hiking Mount Rinjani. Head back to Mataram on day 19 to pick up your passport and new visa.
Gili’s: Take a ferry to Gili Air from here and spend one week in the Gili Islands (day 20 – 26).
Bali & Nusa Penida: Take a ferry from Gili T. on day 27 and spend days 28 and 29 on Nusa Penida. From here, take a ferry to Sanur on day 30 and spend a week in Bali.
Java: Take a ferry from Bali to Banyuwangi on day 37 and hike Ijen on day 38. On day 39, make your way to Cemoro Lawang and spend days 40 and 41 at Mount Bromo. Travel to Pronojiwo on day 42 and visit the waterfalls on day 43. On day 44, travel to Yogyakarta and visit the archaeological sites on days 45 and 46.
Sumatra: Fly from Yogyakarta to Medan on day 47 and follow this 10-day itinerary for North Sumatra which will bring you up to day 57.
I highly recommend leaving these 3 extra days to spare, as you don’t know how your trip goes. You might love it at one of these places, and want an extra day there. Or maybe you’re unlucky with the weather, and you want an extra day somewhere because of this reason. Transport is also not always super efficient and you might find that you need an extra day to get to your next destination at some point. If you do really want to max out your time in Indonesia, you can consider doing the 4-day Komodo tour from Flores to Lombok, instead of flying between the two.
Finishing thoughts about these Indonesia itinerary ideas
Indonesia is one of those destinations that gets under your skin — and whether you end up spending a week on a single island or two months working your way across the archipelago, I can pretty much guarantee it won’t be your last trip here. The hardest part of planning an Indonesia itinerary is accepting that you can’t see it all, and that’s okay. Pick the islands that match what you’re looking for, give yourself enough time to actually enjoy each place, and don’t be afraid to slow down when somewhere feels right.
Ready to book your trip? Let us know what itinerary you’re going for in the comments below!
FAQ about traveling Indonesia
That really depends on what you want to see! One week is enough to explore a smaller island well, two weeks lets you cover a bigger island or combine two, and a month or more opens up the real diversity of the archipelago. Having said that, I’d recommend at least two weeks and two islands, one week simply goes by too fast!
Yes, two weeks is a great amount of time for Indonesia! You won’t see everything, but you’ll be able to combine two islands and get a real feel for what makes this country so special. Check out the two-week itinerary ideas above for some inspiration.
Indonesia is a year-round destination, but the dry season (May to September) is generally the best time to visit. April and October are shoulder months, meaning less crowded and still fairly dry on most islands. The wet season (November to March) brings heavy rainfall and can make some activities like hiking and diving less enjoyable. Do note that Indonesia is so spread out that weather patterns vary significantly between islands, so it’s worth checking the specific climate for the islands you’re planning to visit.
Yes, but manage your expectations! Bali is beautiful and there’s a reason it’s so popular, but it’s also very crowded and heavily touristed. If you’re looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-track experience, Bali might disappoint. If you go in knowing it’ll be busy and focus on the right areas, you’ll have a great time. Personally I find it works best as part of a longer Indonesia itinerary rather than as a standalone destination.
Bali’s Hindu roots go back centuries, when Indian cultural and religious influence spread across Southeast Asia. When Islam began spreading through Java and most of the Indonesian archipelago from the 13th century onwards, Bali held on to its Hindu traditions, partly due to its geographic isolation and partly because Hindu nobles and priests from Java retreated there, strengthening the religion further. That said, it’s worth knowing that Indonesia is far more religiously diverse than just Muslim and Hindu. Flores and parts of Papua and Sulawesi are largely Christian, and there are Buddhist and animist communities scattered across the archipelago too.
Absolutely. Indonesia is one of the most popular solo travel destinations in Southeast Asia. The locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming, there is a well-established backpacker infrastructure on the main islands, and it’s easy to meet other travelers especially on Bali, the Gili Islands, and in popular spots like Yogyakarta and Bukit Lawang. As always, solo female travelers should take the usual precautions, but overall Indonesia is a very safe and rewarding country to explore alone.
Most nationalities receive a free 30-day visa on arrival when entering Indonesia. This can be extended once for another 30 days. This gives you a maximum of 60 days, which is exactly what the 2-month itinerary above is built around. Requirements can change, so always check the official Indonesian immigration website↗ before you travel.